On the eve of World Heritage Week 2019, Divisional commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan today inaugurated an exhibition of rare manuscripts, shawls and artefacts at SPS Museum, Srinagar.
The exhibition has been organised by Directorate of Archives, Archaeology & Museums in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL).
The World Heritage Week is being observed from November 19 to November 25 throughout the world to aware people regarding preservation of cultural heritage and monuments.
The exhibition showcased rare manuscripts of 7th century and the traditional and exquisite Kashmiri shawls of 17th century. The rare shawl in embroidery depicting the map of old Srinagar city was also displayed during the exhibition.
Secretary JKAACL Muneer-ul-Islam; Director Agriculture, Kashmir; Director Urban Local Bodies; Commissioner SMC; Chief Engineers of PDD, PHE, R&B; officials of Cultural Academy and Department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
In order to create awareness about cultural heritage among masses, the exhibition will remain open for general public throughout the week and no entry-fee will be charged during this period.
Large number of visitors, including students, are expected to visit the exhibition during the period and all the arrangements for the event have been made by the organisers.
Later, an academic session was organised at Cultural Academy hall, in which Secretary Cultural Academy and Director, Archives and Archaeology Muneer-ul-Islam presided over the session.
Prominent writers Prof Farooq Fayaz, and Zarief Ahmad Zarief and people from different walks of life attended the session.
Muneer-ul-Islam gave a brief outlook of the activities being carried out by Academy and Archives departments for preserving heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the occasion, Prof Farooq Fayaz, and Zarief Ahmad Zarief presented their respective papers on Kashmir heritage.
Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums has a primary mandate to preserve the tangible heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. The department has the distinction of possessing one of the oldest Archival Repositories in the sub-continent with record holdings dating back to Mughal period (1724 AD). There are two multipurpose museums one each at Jammu and Srinagar. Both the Museums are known for their collection world over.